Primary tracheal tumors are very rare. Pleomorphic adenoma is rarely found in the trachea, despite being the most common histological form of salivary gland neoplasm. We present a case of pleomorphic adenoma of the trachea. Bronchoscopic excision using cold instruments resulted in apparently normal tracheal mucosa.
Choristoma is a benign tumor where new bone formation occurs. It occurs exclusively in the flat bones of the skull and face. These are slow growing lesions that are usually completely asymptomatic and only present when there is a disruption in the function of the organ due to its large size as it grows. These choristomas can rarely occur in soft tissues especially in the head, eye, tongue, or extremities. Choristomas of the soft tissues are very rare. Only 61 cases of choristomas of the tongue have been reported in literature. Here we report a case of choristoma in the base of the tongue in a 25-year-old Malay female.
Intra-axial dermoid cysts are rare intracranial space occupying lesions, more so in the pediatric age group. Dermoid cysts account for about 0.2 to 1.8% of all intracranial tumors and are commonly located in the cisternal spaces, mainly in the cerebellopontine angle and parasellar cisterns. A purely intra-axial position as reported in this paper is quite exceptional.
Although Asian people have the lowest incidence and mortality rates of prostate cancer in the world, these rates have risen rapidly in the past two decades in most Asian countries. Prostate cancer has become one of the leading male cancers in some Asian countries. In 2000, the age-adjusted incidence was over 10 per 100000 men in Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines and Israel. Although some of the increases may result from enhanced detection, much of the increased incidence may be associated with westernization of the lifestyle, with increasing obesity and increased consumption of fat. The differences in incidences between native Americans and Asian immigrants are getting smaller, reflecting a possible improvement of diagnostic efforts and changes of environmental risk factors in Asian immigrants. Nevertheless, the huge variations in incidences among ethnic groups imply that there are important genetic risk factors. The stage distributions of prostate cancer in Asian populations are still unfavorable compared to those of Western developed countries. However, a trend towards diagnosing cancer with more favorable prognosis is seen in most Asian countries. Both genetic and environmental risk factors responsible for elevated risks in Asian people are being identified, which may help to reduce prostate cancer incidence in a chemopreventive setting.
Two cases of glomus tympanium tumor of the middle ear stage 'type A' according to Fisch classification, are presented due to their rarity in this part of the world. These tumors were excised by end aural tympanotomy approach and there has been no recurrence in both patients to date.
Cervical cancer is the most common malignant cancer of the female reproductive organs worldwide. Currently, cervical cancer can be prevented by vaccination and detected at an early stage via various screening methods. Malaysia, as a developing country faces a heavy disease burden of cervical cancer as it is the second most common cancer among Malaysian women. This population based study was carried out to fulfil the primary aim of determining the survival rates of Malaysian women with cervical cancer and associated factors. Data were obtained from two different sources namely, the Malaysian National Cancer Registry (MNCR) and National Health Informatics Centre (NHIC) from 1st January 2000 to 31st December 2005. Kaplan Meier analyses were conducted to identify the overall survival rates and median survival time. Differences in survival among different ethnic and age group were compared using the log-rank test. A total of 5,859 patients were included. The median survival time for cervical cancer in this study was 65.8 months and the 5-year survival rate was 71.1%. The overall observed survival rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 94.1%, 79.3% and 71.1% respectively. The log-rank test finding also showed that there were significant differences in the 5-year survival rate among different ethnic groups. Malays had the lowest survival rate of 59.2% followed by Indians (69.5%) and Chinese (73.8%). The overall 5-year survival rate among patients with cervical cancer in Malaysia is relatively good. Age and ethnic groups remain as significant determining factors for cervical cancer survival rate.
The turnaround time (TAT) for oral biopsies received for histological examination by the Department of Oral Pathology, Oral Medicine and Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, for the years 1978, 1988 and 1998 was evaluated. For the three years studied, TATs for 61, 233 and 463 specimens were retrospectively analysed. Testing intervals, that is, from the dates the surgeons procured the specimens, the laboratories accessioned them and until the pathologists signed off the diagnoses, were used to calculate TAT. The performance level of the respective pathologists, the growth of tissue diagnostic services and the possible variables that influence TAT were also evaluated. As prompt diagnosis means prompt treatment, which in turn has a bearing on prognosis, the TAT pertinent to oral malignant tumors was emphasized. The mean TAT, its mode and median fell significantly in 1998 compared with the previous 2 years; it was lower for soft tissue than for hard tissue specimens, and lower for malignant, than for non-malignant specimens. The progression of tissue diagnostic services is up to a satisfactory level, as 88.89 % of biopsies could render diagnoses within a fair period of time in 1998.
A rare case of diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma in a 71 year-old Malay man with no previous history of asbestos or radiation exposure is described. The clinical manifestation was a large abdominal mass. At laparotomy he was found to be in the advanced stage of the disease. The tumour was not resectable and patient was sent home. He gradually deteriorated and died three months after diagnosis was made. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of peritoneal mesothelioma which has not been previously reported are described.
We report a case of a sixteen-month old boy with osteosarcoma of the left humerus. To the best of our knowledge this is the youngest case reported in Malaysia. This case illustrates that osteosarcoma although rare does occur in a very young child. The child died six weeks after presentation due to disseminated disease.
We describe two cases of nasal inverted papilloma who had different management modalities. Although both were essentially of the same pathology, one underwent endoscopic excision while the other was treated with the more popular lateral rhinotomy and medial maxillectomy. We wish to highlight the different modalities of treatment available for inverted papilloma and a review of published results.
A large retroperitoneal liposarcoma presented clinically as an ovarian tumour in an infertile woman. The importance of computed tomography in the differential diagnosis and the appropriate management of retroperitoneal liposarcoma is presented with a review of the relevant literature.
Five cases of renal angiomyolipoma which underwent spontaneous rupture are described. These patients presented as an "acute abdomen" for which the diagnosis was not initially apparent. A high index of suspicion is required to make the diagnosis even with modern imaging techniques. The treatment of these tumours is discussed.
Radiologically guided localization procedures are indicated pre-operatively when breast lesions are nonpalpable. The results of 42 percutaneous hookwire localizations over a period of 3 years are described. Of the total, 7 (17%) were found to be malignant. Biopsy was indicated by mammographically detected mass in 48%, by microcalcifications in 40% and by microcalcifications with an associated mass in 12%.
Malignant lymphoma of nasal septum is uncommon. It presents a problem in diagnosis to both otorhinolaryngologist and pathologist. This case report is about one such patient in whom the local disease has been controlled with the treatment of radiotherapy alone. However it is suggested that combined treatment of radiotherapy and cytotoxic therapy might improve the survival rate.
405 cases of bronchial brushing cytology were evaluated for its effectiveness in detecting pulmonary carcinoma. Cytohistologic findings were correlated whenever endoscopic biopsies were performed. Sputum cytological investigations were also included in this paper to examine the total diagnostic sensitivity of all the three methods combined.
Left atrial myxoma almost always arises in the inter-atrial septum. A case is described where it arose from the posterior wall of the left atrium. Clinical presentation was suggestive of mitral stenosis and sub-acute bacterial endocarditis and diagnosis was arrived at necropsy.
Twelve cases of primary hyperparathyroidism operated by the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Surgical Team from 1978 to 1989 were reviewed. There was a preponderance of Indian females in this series. The majority of the cases presented late and with complications. Renal calculi and bone disease were the commonest complications noted. Of the 12 patients, 9 had single parathyroid adenoma of which 4 were ectopically located, and 2 had hyperplasia of the parathyroids. These were all successfully operated. The remaining patient had 2 failed neck explorations. Failure at initial exploration was due to ectopic location of the glands. Meticulous surgical technique, knowledge of the anatomical variations of location of the parathyroid glands and availability of frozen section facility are essential for successful outcome.